The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, will depart for Shenzhen tomorrow morning (June 7) to visit facilities providing support services for young people in Hong Kong to learn more about these developments. … read more
Following is a question by the Hon Luk Chung-hung and a reply by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, in the Legislative Council today (June 6):
Question:
In recent years, quite a number of cinemas have closed down one after another. At present, there is no cinema in certain districts (e.g. Tai Po), resulting in fewer entertainment choices for the residents in those districts. In March last year, the Government announced a series of new measures to facilitate the development of cinemas in Hong Kong, with a view to assisting in movie audience-building and promoting the long-term development of the film industry. However, some members of the public have pointed out the slow progress made by the Government on the implementation of such measures. Regarding the measures to promote the development of cinemas and the film industry, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) whether it knows, in respect of each District Council district in each of the past three years, the number of cinemas, the respective numbers of seats and screens of cinemas, and the year-on-year percentage changes of such numbers and the average ticket price;
(2) of the latest progress made by the Government on the implementation of the measures to facilitate the development of cinemas; the measures in place to assist the film industry in setting up more cinemas, so that there will be cinemas in each district, as well as to encourage and assist the film industry in showing more locally produced films and lowering ticket price, so as to attract members of the public to go to the movies; and
(3) whether the Government will consider amending the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines to reclassify cinemas as “cultural facilities” instead of “retail facilities”; if not, of the reasons for that; whether the Government will conduct regular surveys and studies on local film consumption and the development of the local film industry, in order to assist in the formulation of a more comprehensive development policy for the film industry?
Reply:
President,
The film industry is among the eight major creative industries in Hong Kong, with direct employment of about 12 550 in 2016. Hong Kong was once a major player in Chinese films but has been faced with numerous challenges in recent years. The Government has been sparing no efforts in promoting the development of local film industry on all fronts, mainly through the Film Development Fund (FDF), to support and promote film productions and other marketing and audience-building activities.
In respect of local cinemas, the Government announced in March 2017 new measures to facilitate cinema development in Hong Kong, including incorporation of a requirement to include cinema in the land sale conditions of two designated government land sale sites to increase the supply of cinemas, with a view to helping the long-term development of the film industry.
My reply to Hon Luk Chung-hung’s question is as follows:
(1) From 2015 to 2017, the average price of a movie ticket in Hong Kong had remained stable, at HK$73, HK$76 and HK$75 respectively. The number of cinemas, seats and screens categorised by District Council districts in the three years are set out in Annex.
Overall speaking, from 2015 to 2017, the number of cinemas had increased by 12.8 per cent from 47 to 53; the number of seats by 3.2 per cent from 37 779 to 38 976; and the number of screens by 13.4 per cent from 209 to 237.
Out of the 18 District Council districts, all of them now have cinemas except Tai Po, which will also see the opening of a cinema in 2019. In the past three years, the number of cinemas had increased in six districts, reduced in two districts and stood the same in the remaining nine districts.
(2) As aforementioned, we will incorporate requirement to include a cinema in the land sale conditions of two designated government land sites in Kai Tak and Sha Tin, with a view to increasing the supply of cinemas. The Kai Tak site has been included in the 2018-19 Land Sale Programme, while a technical assessment by the Government is underway for the Sha Tin site. Upon completion of the relevant procedures and work, the two sites will be made available to the market at appropriate junctures.
While adopting the above measure, the Government considers that the provision of cinemas should still largely be market-driven. We are delighted to see the upward trend in respect of the numbers of cinemas, seats and screens in the past three years. With the upcoming launch of a cinema in Tai Po in 2019, there will be provision of cinemas in all the 18 districts.
The Government will continue, through the FDF and relevant measures, to keep pace with the development of the film market and broaden the audience base. For instance, the Government has provided additional screening facilities to the auditorium of the North District Town Hall and commissioned the Hong Kong Film Art Association to organise film screening activities on a regular basis with post-screening seminars in a bid to promote the film industry and build up audience base among students. Moreover, we have provided additional funding to the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society for adding Chinese subtitles to non-Chinese films screened in the Hong Kong International Film Festival and offering student discount tickets, thereby fostering the public’s film-watching habit and their ability to appreciate films of different genres.
(3) The Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines (HKPSG) stipulates the general guidelines for determining the various land uses and facilities in accordance with the population size and other factors. The relevant guidelines serve as general reference for the Government to, at the planning stage, reserve land for different developments and facilities to meet the public’s needs. Relevant Government bureaux and departments would review, update and formulate the HKPSG from time to time in light of different policy and development needs, while the Planning Department would assist in coordinating the formulation of the relevant standards.
According to the HKPSG, cinemas operating on a commercial basis are categorised as retail activities, and can be built within land use zones where commercial uses, including retail, are permitted. Generally speaking, the provision of commercial and retail facilities should be market-led.
We understand that the development of cinemas and the development of the film industry complement each other. The Government has been consulting the Hong Kong Film Development Council (FDC) on the overall strategies, policies and practical arrangements for promotion and development of the film industry, as well as the use of public funds to support the industry, to understand the needs of the industry and offer support as appropriate.
In view of the considerable changes in the film market in recent years, the Government has engaged a consultant to review the operation and effectiveness of the various funding schemes under the FDF, to study the latest market development trends and to propose feasible corresponding measures. The study report will be completed shortly. We will consider the recommendations therein and, in consultation with the FDC, formulate proposals to enhance the operation of the FDF so as to assist the industry to respond to the needs of the market more effectively. read more
Following is a question by the Dr Hon Chiang Lai-wan and a reply by the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, in the Legislative Council today (June 6):
Question:
​ Some patient groups have relayed that quite a number of new targeted therapy drugs with significant benefits in curing cancers have come onto the market in recent years, but most of them have not been incorporated into the list of Self-Financed Items (SFIs) under the Drug Formulary of the Hospital Authority (HA). This, coupled with the stringent eligibility criteria for applications under the Samaritan Fund and the Community Care Fund, has resulted in cancer patients who cannot afford the medication costs not being able to grasp the opportunities for treatments, thereby undermining patients’ rights and interests. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) whether it will request the HA to expedite its appraisal procedure so as to incorporate those new targeted therapy drugs with significant benefits in curing cancers into the list of SFIs; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(2) whether it will relax the eligibility criteria for applications under the two aforesaid relief funds and raise their subsidy ceilings, so that more cancer patients in need can obtain assistance; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(3) whether it will consider setting up a new dedicated fund to subsidise cancer patients with financial difficulties in receiving expensive treatments (including treatments with targeted therapy drugs); if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
​ The Government and the Hospital Authority (HA) place high importance on providing optimal care for all patients, including cancer patients, and assuring patients of equitable access to safe, efficacious and cost-effective drugs under our highly subsidised public healthcare system. My consolidated reply to the various parts of the question raised by Dr the Hon Chiang Lai-wan is as follows.
​ The HA has an established mechanism for regular appraisal of new drugs and review of its Drug Formulary and the coverage of the safety net. As pledged in last year’s Policy Address, the Drug Management Committee under the HA and other committees concerned will more closely monitor the research developments and the accumulation of medical scientific evidence for new drugs so that needy patients could receive early treatment. The Drug Advisory Committee of the HA currently conducts meetings once every three months to appraise new drugs. The whole appraisal process follows the principles of evidence-based medical practice, rational use of public resources, targeted subsidy, opportunity cost consideration and facilitation of patients’ choice, and takes into account the safety, efficacy and cost-effectiveness of drugs and other relevant factors, including international recommendations and practices, advance in technology, disease state, patient compliance, quality of life, actual experience in the use of drugs as well as the views of professionals and patient groups. In appraising new drugs, especially expensive ones, the HA will also carefully examine the long-term financial sustainability of the drug therapies with a view to providing all patients with appropriate treatments. The HA will include approved drugs in the Drug Formulary or under the coverage of the safety net as appropriate.
​ Currently, the HA Drug Formulary includes effective drugs for the treatment of various diseases. These drugs, including targeted therapy drugs for treating cancer, are provided for patients at standard fees and charges. The HA has been extending the coverage of its Drug Formulary through regular review. Self-financed cancer drugs are incorporated into the Drug Formulary’s special drug category in phases and provided for patients with specific clinical indications at standard fees and charges.
​ The HA provides a safety net for patients with financial difficulties in respect of specific self-financed items through the Samaritan Fund and the Community Care Fund (CCF) Medical Assistance Programmes, under which eligible patients are subsidised to purchase self-financed drugs covered by the safety net. As at April 2018, a total of 29 self-financed drugs proven to be of significant benefits were covered by the Samaritan Fund. Among them, 13 are for cancer treatment, of which 10 are targeted therapy drugs.
​ To provide cancer patients with more support, the Government and the HA launched the First Phase Programme of the CCF Medical Assistance Programmes in August 2011 to offer patients financial assistance to purchase specified self-financed cancer drugs which have not yet been brought into the Samaritan Fund safety net but have been rapidly accumulating medical scientific evidence and have relatively higher efficacy. As at April 2018, a total of 16 self-financed cancer drugs have been covered by this Programme and 13 of which are targeted therapy drugs.
​ The appraisal of drugs is an on-going process driven by evolving medical evidence, latest clinical developments and market dynamics. At this stage, more scientific evidence is required to confirm the clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness of most newly-developed drugs for cancer treatment and the actual benefits to patients. The HA will keep abreast of the latest development of clinical treatment and scientific evidence, heed the views and suggestions of patients’ groups, and continue to review the Drug Formulary and the coverage of the safety net under the principle of rational use of limited public resources while maximising the health benefits for patients in need. The HA is also examining the extension of the coverage of the CCF Medical Assistance Programmes to provide patients with subsidies for specific drug treatments according to individual patients’ special clinical needs, including subsidising eligible patients to participate in compassionate programmes of individual pharmaceutical companies.
​ To alleviate the financial burden on cancer patients, the HA has been in close liaison with pharmaceutical companies on the setting up of risk sharing programmes for specific cancer drugs. Under the programmes, the HA, patients and pharmaceutical companies will contribute to the drug costs in specific proportions within a defined period, or the drug treatment costs to be borne by patients will be capped. The aim is to facilitate patients’ early access to drug treatments and provide the patients with sustainable, affordable and optimal drug treatments in the long term.
​ The HA has commissioned a consultancy study to review the current financial assessment and patient’s co-payment mechanism under the Samaritan Fund and the CCF Medical Assistance Programmes. Improvement measures will be put forward in the light of the review findings with the aim of providing more appropriate assistance for patients in need. The Government has earmarked funding in the 2018-19 Budget for this purpose. Actual use of the funding will be subject to the review findings and recommendations. read more
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) will hold a dog inoculation campaign at fishing ports in Hong Kong. Fishermen can have their dogs vaccinated against rabies and microchipped and the licences renewed… read more
The Labour Department (LD) today (June 6) reminded employers to make prior work arrangements for staff in times of rainstorms as soon as possible.
“To avoid disputes and confusion, employers should make prior work arrangements for staff and contingency measures in times of and rainstorms,” an LD spokesman said.
“In working out and enforcing the arrangements, employers should give prime consideration to employees’ safety both in the workplace and during their journeys to and from work, and adopt a flexible approach. Whenever possible, they should consult their staff.”
The work arrangements should cover the following matters:
* Whether employees are required to report for duty when different rainstorm warnings are issued;
* After a rainstorm warning is cancelled, the time for staff who have not reported for duty to resume work and the arrangements;
* How wages and allowances (if any) will be calculated for staff who are required to report for duty and those who are late for work or absent from work during rainstorms; and
* For employees who are required to travel to and from workplaces during rainstorms, whether transport facilities will be provided to them and, if so, the arrangements.
“Employers should make realistic assessments of the requirements for essential staff and require only absolutely essential staff to report for duty in adverse weather conditions. If Amber, Red or Black Rainstorm Warning is issued during working hours, employees working indoors should remain on duty as usual and stay where they are unless it is dangerous to do so. Supervisors of employees working outdoors in exposed areas should suspend outdoor duties as soon as practicable. They should arrange their employees to take shelter temporarily and resume duty when weather conditions so permit. When Black Rainstorm Warning is issued, employees should resume duty until the warning is lowered and weather conditions permit. If Black Rainstorm Warning remains in force at the end of working hours, for safety reasons, employers should provide employees with an area in the workplace as temporary shelter for them to stay if they want to.”
“If possible, employers should provide transport services for employees who are still required to travel to and from workplaces when the Black Rainstorm Warning is in force, or give them a special travelling allowance as encouragement.”
“For staff who have practical difficulties in resuming work promptly upon cancellation of a rainstorm warning, employers should give due consideration to the circumstances of individual employees and handle each case flexibly.”
“As rainstorms are natural calamities that cannot be avoided, employers should not deduct wages of employees who are absent from or late for work because of inclement weather. Neither should employers dismiss an employee summarily based on these grounds,” he said.
The spokesman also reminded employers to observe the statutory liabilities and requirements under the Employment Ordinance, the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance, the Employees’ Compensation Ordinance and the Minimum Wage Ordinance.
Employers should not deduct the annual leave, statutory holidays or rest days employees are entitled to under the Employment Ordinance so as to compensate for the loss of working hours resulting from employees’ failure to report for duty upon the announcement of a Black Rainstorm Warning. An employer who without reasonable excuse fails to comply with relevant provisions under the Employment Ordinance is liable to prosecution.
Employers should also note that they have an obligation to maintain a safe workplace for their employees under the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance.
“If employees are required to work in times of rainstorms, employers should ensure that the risks at work are properly controlled and reduced to levels that are as low as reasonably practicable,” the spokesman said.
Under the Employees’ Compensation Ordinance, employers are liable to pay compensation for deaths or injuries incurred when employees are travelling by a direct route from their residences to workplaces, or from workplaces back to residences after work, four hours before or after working hours on a day when Typhoon Signal No. 8 or above or a Red or Black Rainstorm Warning is in force.
To provide practical guidelines and samples of work arrangements for the reference of employers and employees, the LD has issued the booklet “Code of Practice in times of Typhoons and Rainstorms”. The code can be obtained from the branch offices of the Labour Relations Division or downloaded from the department’s webpage (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/wcp/Rainstorm.pdf). read more